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    Tennessee Security Deposit Return Letter

    Tennessee sets no fixed number of days to return a deposit; when a refund is due the landlord must send the tenant written notice of the amount to the last known address, and may keep the refund if the tenant does not respond within 60 days of that notice (Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-301(f)). The security deposit return letter below is preset for Tennessee: fill in your details, then print it or save it as a PDF.

    State rules last verified: · Researched and cited by MakeLease · not yet attorney-reviewed

    Tennessee rules for a security deposit return letter

    Penalty for a late or improper return
    Landlord forfeits the right to keep any part of the deposit if it was not held in the required separate account and no damage listing was provided Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-301(c) (as amended by 2011 Pub. Ch. 272, § 8), Tennessee General Assembly bill history: HB1760/SB1009 enacted as Pub. Ch. 272 (signed 2011-05-25, eff. 2011-10-01)

    Security Deposit Return Letter generator

    State and dates

    Tennessee: Tennessee sets no fixed number of days to return a deposit; when a refund is due the landlord must send the tenant written notice of the amount to the last known address, and may keep the refund if the tenant does not respond within 60 days of that notice (Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-301(f)).

    The day the tenant moved out and returned the keys.

    Tennessee sets no fixed number of days. See the state rule above.

    Parties

    Everyone named on the lease. Separate names with commas.

    Where you are sending this letter and any refund. Use the address the tenant gave you in writing.

    Deposit

    $
    $

    Only if your state, city or lease requires interest on deposits. Leave empty otherwise.

    Itemized deductions

    One line per charge: what it is for and the amount. Unused lines are left out. Tennessee: To charge damage against the deposit, the landlord must compile a written listing of the damage with estimated repair costs (jointly signed if the tenant requests a move-out inspection, or mailed to the tenant on written request otherwise) (Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-301(b)).

    $
    $
    $
    $
    $
    $

    Several states require supporting documents for repair or cleaning charges. Attach them when you have them.

    Refund or balance

    For example, a note that an estimate will be followed by the final invoice.

    Blank PDF

    Free, no account needed. Showing example details. Replace them with yours.

    Security Deposit Return Letter

    Itemized statement of deductions

    Date:November 12, 2026
    Rental property:123 Maple Street, Unit 4, Springfield
    To (former tenants):Alex Morgan, Sam Rivera
    Forwarding address:88 Birch Road, Apt 2, Shelbyville
    From (landlord):Jordan Ellis, 500 Oak Avenue, Springfield
    Move-out date:October 31, 2026

    Dear Alex Morgan, Sam Rivera:

    This letter accounts for the security deposit you paid for 123 Maple Street, Unit 4, Springfield. You moved out on October 31, 2026. Below is an itemized list of each amount deducted from the deposit and the reason for it, followed by the balance.

    Itemized deductions

    No.Description of chargeAmount
    1Patch and paint hole in bedroom wall$180.00
    2Replace broken bathroom mirror$95.50
    3Remove furniture and trash left in garage$150.00
    Total deductions$425.50

    Deposit accounting

    ItemAmount
    Security deposit received$1,800.00
    Less total deductions- $425.50
    Amount refunded to tenant$1,374.50

    The refund of $1,374.50 is enclosed or sent with this letter by check no. 1043 on November 12, 2026.

    Copies of receipts, invoices or estimates supporting the deductions are enclosed.

    If you have questions about any deduction, contact Jordan Ellis at (555) 010-2030.

    Deposit return rules for Tennessee: Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-301(f), (g) (no return deadline; subsection (f) unchanged by 2011 Pub. Ch. 272).
    Landlord or agent signature (Jordan Ellis)
    Date

    What Tennessee requires

    Deadline to return the security deposit

    Tennessee sets no fixed number of days to return a deposit; when a refund is due the landlord must send the tenant written notice of the amount to the last known address, and may keep the refund if the tenant does not respond within 60 days of that notice (Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-301(f)).

    Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-301(f), (g) (no return deadline; subsection (f) unchanged by 2011 Pub. Ch. 272), Tennessee General Assembly bill history: HB1760/SB1009 enacted as Pub. Ch. 272 (signed 2011-05-25, eff. 2011-10-01) · checked October 26, 2026

    Itemized list of deductions

    To charge damage against the deposit, the landlord must compile a written listing of the damage with estimated repair costs (jointly signed if the tenant requests a move-out inspection, or mailed to the tenant on written request otherwise) (Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-301(b)).

    Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-301(b), (c) (as amended by 2011 Pub. Ch. 272, §§ 6, 8), Tennessee General Assembly bill history: HB1760/SB1009 enacted as Pub. Ch. 272 (signed 2011-05-25, eff. 2011-10-01) · checked October 26, 2026

    Penalty for a late or improper return

    A landlord who neither kept the deposit in the required separate account nor provided the required damage listing may not keep any portion of the deposit (Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-301(c)).

    Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-301(c) (as amended by 2011 Pub. Ch. 272, § 8), Tennessee General Assembly bill history: HB1760/SB1009 enacted as Pub. Ch. 272 (signed 2011-05-25, eff. 2011-10-01) · checked October 26, 2026

    City and county rules can be stricter than state law, and your lease can require more than the statute does. Use whichever rule gives the tenant more time or protection.

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